No, not that one, this here:
The date for this most venerable of fondos has just been revealed and it is a little earlier than expected, at least by me – June 25, 2023. This is good news and bad news for me because I actually had a week-long tour scheduled to start that very weekend on Alpe d’Huez (and I hadn’t booked any hotels, so that’s definitely off the calendar now) – so that’s the bad news. The good news is that this event would be ideal training for me for Haute Route Alps 2 months later. I’ve done La Marmotte, but not the traditional route, so I might be persuaded to give it another go.
Anyone out there considering it?
The Vicious Cycle 
I did it twice, once with you and the year after without. That year in 2015 was the year of 42 degree heat if you recall. Attrition was at an all time high I was successful the second time around but I can’t remember if we still went to the other side of the lake to get around the construction. Its vague! It will be a while before I venture back to my old stomping grounds sadly!
I thought the course was ‘normal’ in 2016, but I could be wrong. Good luck with the new adventure in Nouvelle Ecosse and see you someday, somewhere!
I went back and looked and I did it 7 times – in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2022. This year was incredibly hot as it was most of the summer. In 2017 I got a flat tubular after 2kms – had to walk back to Bourg d’Oisans – found an open bike shop at 7:20am – had tubular replaced, then started an hour after my first sasse’s original start and did the whole race by myself passing people – I’ve never seen such an endless stream of cyclists ahead!
I did it in 2017. Foggy and cool and wore my gilet until bottom of the Alpe! A great event and experience- aiming to go again in 2023.
Well, me might see each other after all then!
That was good luck back in 2017 and good on ya for actually starting! Given that you usually start in the first pen, it must have been a weird experience.
Never done it, but its on my shortlist 😄
Goes on sale November 8th, I think. I don’t know if this one sells out in a few hours like Etape…
Thanks for the heads up 👍🏻
No!
Is that an emphatic ‘no’? Looks like one!
Absolutely very emphatic
Does anyone know what time the sale would be expected to start on the 8th?
I don’t know, but I think it’ll follow France time, so expect 9am. Not perfect for North Americans!